Challenge Coin History

​During World War I, American volunteers from all parts of the country filled the newly formed flying squadrons.  Some were wealthy scions attending colleges such as Yale and Harvard who quit mid-term to join the war.  In one squadron, a wealthy lieutenant ordered medallions struck in solid bronze and presented them to his unit.  One young pilot palced the medallion in a small leather pouch that he wore around his neck.

Shortly after acquiring the medallion, the pilots' airplane was severely damaged by ground fire.  He was forced to land behind enemy lines and was immediately captured by a German patrol.  In order to discourage his escape, the Germans took all of his personal identification except for the small leather pouch around his neck.  In the meantime, he was taken to a small French town near the front.  Taking advantage of a bombardment that night, he escaped.  However, he was without personal identification.

He succeeded in avoiding German patrols by dressing in civilian attire and reached the front lines.  With great difficulty, he crossed no-man's land.  Eventually, he stumbled onto a French outpost.  Unfortunately,  subversives had plagued the French in the sector.  They sometimes disguised themselves as civilians by wearing civilian clothing.  Not recognizing the young pilot's American accent, the French thought him to be a saboteur and made arrangements to execute him.  He had no identification to prove his allegiance, but he did have his leather pouch containing the medallion.  He showed the medallion to his would-be executioners and one of his French captors recognized the squadron insignia on the medallion.  They delayed his execution long enough for him to confirm his identity.  Instead of shooting him they gave him a bottle of wine.

Back at his squadron, it became tradition to ensure that all members carried their medallion or coin at all times.  This was accomplished through challenge in the following manner - a challenger would ask to see the medallion.  If the challenged could not produce a medallion, they were required to buy a drink of choice for the member who challenged them.  If the challenged member produced a medallion, then the challenging member was required to pay for the drink.  This tradition continued on throughout the war and for many years after the war wile surviving members of the squadron were still alive.  

Although the challenge coin is thought to have these unconfirmed military beginnings, the tradition of developing and carrying specifically minted coins for a particular group spilled over into the public sector and today the challenge coins are engraved with an insignia of the factions and clubs that are military in nature.  The coins are used to improve morale and instill a sense of belonging among members of a group.  Group members are required to carry their coins with them at all times and be ready for any other member of the group to initiate a coin challenge.  

Police challenge coins usually have the emblem or insignia of a specific law enforcement unit.  They come in a variety of different sizes, shapes and designs.  Each law enforcement unit has a coin designed to their own specifications.  The coins often have a bronze, silver, or gold finish, as well as painted detailing.  Why and how the police coins are awarded is usually up to the specific unit awarding it.  It is common practice for an officer to receive a challenge coin after receiving two letters of recommendation following an act of bravery or good deed.  These coins are also issued to commemorate a special occasion or to remember officers who have been killed in the line of duty.  The coin is seen by many government officials as being a good way to improve relations between officers and the general public.  

Citizens are sometimes given an opprotunity to purchase police challenge coins whereby the proceeds would be donated to charities associated with the individual law enforcement unit.  They are also sold on occasions to provide financial support to the families of a fallen or injured officer.  The proceeds may also be use to purchase essential parts of the uniform, etc.  The coins are also sometimes given to new officers as a way to commemorate the end of their training and introduction into their specific police unit.  Citizens also may purchase police coins to show support for the many individuals who work to keep their city safe.